Italian appetizers never tasted so good! Big beef & sausage Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs drizzled with maple balsamic sauce are all you need to get the party started!
Goodness gracious…
MEATBALLS and BACON!
Is there a greater marriage in the world of carnivores than beef + bacon? I really think not. Unless you add some ooey-gooey melty cheese to the combo, in which case you’d better be eating spinach salads and drinking water for the rest of your daily meals.
You know…because you aren’t going to want to stop eating these Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs drizzled with maple balsamic sauce.
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Say it with me: Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs.
I just can’t imagine a plate of old-fashioned spaghetti without a healthy pile of marinara-soaked meatballs mounded on top.
It’s just part of who I am as an unabashed meat-eater. I’m a fruit and veggie superfan, am a sucker for whole grains…there’s really no food group I don’t welcome in my diet with open arms. But when it comes to ongoing love affairs, meat and I go way back.
I totally admire vegans. I’m just not sure I could ever pass up a juicy burger or a plate of chicken wings, no matter how much I truly love animals.
And these cheese stuffed meatballs. Holy hell.
You’ve all had the slow cooker appetizer version, right? Previously frozen meatballs, simmered in grape jelly tainted chili or BBQ sauce? The ones found at every Superbowl party and baby shower this side of the American continent, right next to the Cream Cheese with Pepper Jelly?
Yep. These are absolutely nothing like them.
With a little time, a little work, a little patience, and a lot of appetite, these little guys can be in your belly before you can even say their long-winded name.
Try them this way first – with the super simple, tangy, and delicious maple balsamic sauce. The contrast of the balsamic and beef, paired with the symmetry of the maple and the bacon, makes for one incredible appetizer.
And then the oozy cheese, of course. Unnnffff.
This recipe makes a good amount of meatballs, so if you find yourself overloaded with them, they also make amazeballs meatball subs. Marinara, provolone, toasted hoagie roll…
Aaaand I’m drooling.
Or you could freeze the rest for next week’s spaghetti dinner. You may never top your pasta with normal meatballs again.
And you definitely won’t go back to the mushy, frozen ones. I gey-ruhn-tee it.
And since you’re in party mode and have the bacon out, whip up a batch of these Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies, too! You can never have enough bacon at a party!
Even more delish finger foods to try!
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Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs with Maple Balsamic Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup bread crumbs
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 shallot diced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 8 ounces package Mozzarella Pearls
- ¾ pound bacon cut in half
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray and set it near your work area.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, bread crumbs, Parmesan, garlic, shallot, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Add beef and sausage and, using your hands, mix ingredients until just combined without overworking meat.
- Use a 2-Tablespoon scoop to portion meat, placing a Mozzarella ball inside and rolling into a ball. Repeat with each portion, setting them on the roasting pan.
- Wrap each meatball with a half slice of bacon, and secure with a toothpick. Place each on the broiler pan and bake 30-40 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon.
- While meatballs are baking, prepare your sauce. Combine balsamic and maple syrup in a small saucepan set over low heat. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook 3-4 minutes until sauce is reduced. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Drizzle maple balsamic sauce over warm meatballs and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Jen says
You had me at bacon!
Erica says
That’s really all that needs to be said, right? 🙂
Shelby says
OMG, I swear everything you make is amazing! When I come to FL I want to eat at your house!! These are right up my alley. I’m a maple girl all the way and what a perfect match with the balsamic and bacon!
Erica says
You’re too sweet, Shelby! Hopefully, Isabel’s cooking workshop thing at the conference works out, and we can cook up something tasty together! 🙂 As for the balsamic, I honestly don’t know how I lived before I started using it…adding the maple to it is heavenly!!!
Sarah E. says
I’m with you – I love all the food groups…and meatballs with cheese and bacon??? COME TO MAMA!!! 🙂 These look incredible. Can’t wait to show my husband – he’s gonna flip!
Amanda @ Anchored to Sunshine says
Yum Yum YUM! The maple balsamic sauce sounds to die for! I will have to give these a try 🙂
Renee@Renee's Kitchen Adventures says
These look scrumptious! I could go for a dozen right now!
Hezzi-D says
These sound delicious! Love a cheesy meatball and paired with bacon and balsamic? Winner!
Tara says
My mouth is seriously watering, nicely done!!
Rachel says
Oh my! Bacon and balsamic and cheese are three of my favorite things!
Liz says
I love meatballs, but you’ve kicked them up a few notches!!!
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
I often use beef/pork combo for my meatballs but I love that the pork you use is flavored Italian sausage. Then you went and stuck cheese in the center and I drooled all over my keyboard.
Sue Lau says
Bacon wrapped around any appetizer makes it better but I have to say the meatballs are MUCH better than rumaki!
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
I want that sauce on everything!